Finger exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising device, especially for exercising the fingers, on which a base member is provided, on which the forearm is adapted to rest with the hand in a predetermined position, while finger loops carried by the device are disposed near the said position and are adapted for receiving the fingers of the hand. Biasing springs connected to the finger loops resist movement thereof so that the fingers can be exercised by flexing thereof. The finger loops are arranged so as to be in two differently suspended sets so that the hand can be disposed with the palm up when using one loop set or the palm down when using the other loop set whereby the fingers can be exercised in different manners.

United States Patent Kuhlman Jan. 1, 1974 FINGER EXERCISING DEVICE [76]Inventor: Norma Jean Kuhlman, R.F.D. No. 'f' Examufler Rlchard Pmkham lMendon Ohio 45862 Asszstant ExammerR. T. Stouffer Attorney-Albert L..leffers et al. [22] Filed: Apr. 21, 1972 [2l] App]. No.: 245,837

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 272/67, 84/467 An exercising device,especially for exercising the fin- [51] lnt. Cl. A63b 21/00, A63b 23/00gers, on which a base member is provided, on which [58] Field of Search272/67, 68, 83 R; the forearm is adapted to rest with the hand in a pre-84/465, 467, 468, 469 determined position, while finger loops carried bythe device are disposed near the said position and are [56] ReferencesCited adapted for receiving the fingers of the hand. Biasing n- STATESPATENTS springs connected to the finger loops resist movement H8 9")5/188; Liebig Jr 84/467 thereof so that the fingers can be exercised byflexing i z 272/67 thereof. The finger loops are arranged so as to be in585.799 7/1897 Thompson 272/67 two differentlysuspended sets so that thehand can be 2,476,518 7/1949 Underwood 272/67 posed With the palm upwhen using one loop set or 3,586.322 6/1971 Kvcrneland.... 272/83 R Xthe palm down when using the other loop set whereby l.l26 938 2/l9l5Barrett 84/468 the fingers can be exercised in different manners.

FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11 Cl 6 D F 445.978 9/1912 France 272/67rawmg gums FINGER EXERCISING DEVICE The present invention relates to anexercising device and especially to an exercising device for exercisingthe fingers.

Exercises are often required for the fingers to strengthen the fingers,the hand, the wrist, and the forearm, or for therapeutic reasons whenthe fingers or portions of the hand have been injured. Heretofore, therehas not beenprovided any scientifically designed exercising device forexercising the fingers in such a manner that reasonably predictabletherapeutic results can be obtained.

The muscles pertaining to the fingers accomplish flexing of the fingersand bending thereof and extend along the fingers and hand and into theforearm and it is, at times, desirable to exercise these muscles, aswell as to flex the finger and knuckle joints for reasons of therapy ordevelopment. Proper exercise of such muscles and joints should bebalanced to provide for proper results while, at the same time,individual exercise of one or more fingers or joints may be needed.

Also, there are times when it is desirable for a certain degree oftraction to be employed in connection with therapy and exercize of thefingers and heretofore known procedures for exercising the fingers ofthe hand have been deficient in providing for any degree of traction.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary objective of the'present inventionis the provision of an exercising device for the fingers of the handwhich is operable for influencing muscles pertaining to the fingers andto the hand'and also to the wrist and forearm.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of anexercising device of the nature referred to which is relativelyinexpensive and which is compact so that it can be moved about readily.

Still another object of" the present invention is the provision of anexercising device in which different muscles can be selectivelyexercised.

Still another object is the provision of a device of the nature referredto which is readily adjustable to provide for different degrees ofresistant to movement of the fingers during exercising and toaccommodate for hands of adifferent size.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following detailedspecification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view drawn at enlarged scale showing. the devicein use in one manner.

FIG. 5" is a view like FIG. 4 but shows the device to use in anothermanner.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view drawn at enlarged scale showing anadjustment associated with the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, anexercise device is provided having a base member with an upwardly facingsurface on which the forearm is adapted to rest'with the hand in apredetermined position along the base member. Near the hand position,finger loops are provided for receiving the fingers of the hand andconnected between the finger loops and base member are springs forresisting movement of the finger loops when the fingers are flexed. 1

The springs are connected to'the base member at the end opposite the endwhere th'e'forearm is received.

The finger loops referred to comprise first finger loops connecteddirectly to the-ends of the springs and resistant to movement in ahorizontal direction and which are engaged by the fingers of the handwhen the forearm rests on the base member with the palm of the handuppermost.

Cord-like elements are also connected to the springs and lead overrollers or pulleys disposed above the position where the hand is locatedand then downwardly and are connected to second finger loops which areengaged by the fingers when the hand is disposed palm down. This lastmentioned arrangement provides for resistance to movement of the fingerloops in the vertical direction.

The finger loops which are engaged when the hand is disposed with thepalm down and which are biased to resist flexing of the fingersdownwardly. When the hand is palm down, the fingers tend to flex only atthe knuckle joints and the resistance to movement thereof is thuseffective for influencing the muscles and the like associated with themetacarpal-phalangeal joints and which constitute the knuckle regions atthe base of the fingers.

The other finger pieces, which are engaged by the fingers when the handis disposed palm up, are employed when flexing the proximal and distalinterphalangeal joints of the fingers, which are the finger joints andlocated between the knuckles referred to above and the final fingersections. By providing the combination of finger loops resistant toflexing of the fingers in the aforementioned manner, substantiallycomplete exercising of the muscles pertaining to the hand can thus beobtained.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, the device accordingto the present invention comprises a base member 10 which has anupwardly facing surface 12 leading from one end toward the center andinclined upwardly toward the center. Resting on surface 12 is a mat 14of resilient material, such as foamed rubber, or elastomer, and whichprovides a cushion for a forearm resting thereon and likewise inhibitsslipping of the forearm on the base member.

Distributed along the base member adjacent surface 12 are strap elements16 for detachably securing forearm 18 in position on the inclinedsurface of the base member. The strap elements are adjustable and mayadvantageously be formed of cooperating elements of Velcro fabric.

With forearm 18 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the hand 20 is ina predetermined position near the middle of the length of base member10. Near this position are first finger engageable means which mayconsist of flexible strap-like loops 22. Loops 22 are connected toflexible, substantially inextensible, elements such as cords 24 whichextend upwardly from the loops and passabout rollers or pulleys 26carried by support means connected to the base. Such support means mightcomprise rod 28 secured to the upper ends of sides of the base member.

On the opposite sides of the rollers or pulleys 26 from the finger loopsthe elements 24 are connected each to one end of a respective tensionspring 32, the other end of which is connected at 34 to the end of basemember opposite inclined surface 12.

The ends of springs 32 to which cord-like elements 24 are connectedcarry second finger engageable means in the form of the strap-likefinger loops 36.

As will best be seen in FIG. 6, the connection of the springs 32 withthe base member 10 is effected by a threaded rod 38 and a nut 40 whichare relatively adjustable so as to bodily shift the position of thespring thereby to influence the bias the spring exerts on the respectivefinger loops. Each threaded rod 38 is clamped to the base member as by astud and wing nut 42.

The device is shown in operation in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, a hand 20is arranged palm down and the fingers are engaged with the finger loops22. With the palm down and the fingers engaged by the finger loops asillustrated in FIG. 4, if the fingers are moved downwardly as indicatedby arrow 44, the knuckle joints at the base of the fingers will beflexed and the muscles pertaining to such motion of the finger in therespective direction will be exercised. The fingers can be exercisedindividually or in groups and the spring pertaining to each finger loopcan be adjusted to provide for the desirable resistance to movement ofthe respective finger. j

In FIG. 5, the hand is disposed palm up and the final joint of eachfinger is engaged in a respective finger loop 36. With the hand arrangedin this manner, the fingers are flexed in the direction indicated byarrow 46,'bending at each joint and thus--exercising all of the jointsof the finger. As before, the fingers can be exercised individually orin groups.

When the hand is disposed as shown in FIG. 5, the device also exertstraction on the finger and hand, tending to straighten out joints whichmight be defective due to tight tendons 'or healed fractured. Also, asbefore, the individual springs can be adjusted, as desired, to obtainthe desired degree of resistance to flexing of the respective fingers orthe desired degree of traction applied thereto.

It will be appreciated that the device according to the presentinvention is relatively inexpensive to construct and is compact so thatit is readily portable and that it is flexible with respect to themanner in which exercises can be carried out by using the device.

While the device is illustrated with two sets of four finger loops each,it will be understood that the thumbcould also be exercised by availingof the illustrated finger loops, or by the addition of a further fingerloop if so desired.

In general, an individual using the device will be able to retain thefingers in engagement with the finger loops, but in the event there isany difficulty in this respect, a detachable clip 48 as shown in FIG. 1can be provided which will tend to confine the finger in the respectivefinger loop and thus prevent the finger from readily slipping out of thefinger loop.

The device according to the present invention is useful by physicaltherapists and is also inexpensive enough to permit patients to purchaseone for their own use and can be employed, not only for the purposes oftherapy, but also for the purposes of muscle development.

The present invention is described as a finger exercising device, but itwill be apparent that the device influences not only the fingers but theentire hand and wrist and forearm and is, thus, of moregeneral benefitthan for use merely in the exercising of the fingers. It will beunderstood, accordingly, that the description and claims are to beconsidered in this light;

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device, especially for use in finger exercises, comprising abase member having an upwardly inclined facing surface extendingtherealong toward the center from one end on which the forearm isadapted to rest with the hand in a predetermined position along theinclined surface of the base member, finger loop engageable meansdisposed above and near the center position of said base member, certainof said finger loop means being positioned in one location on said basemember and suspended in a particular manner so that the fingers of thehand can be engaged with said finger loop means in the palms up positionfor applying force in a generally horizontal direction, and certainother of said finger loop means being positioned for use in the palmsdown position in a second location and suspended in a different mannerfor applying force in a generally downward direction, whereby saidcertain finger loop means and said certain other finger loop meanscollectively exercise the muscles in the entire hand, wrist and forearm,and biasing means connected to said finger loop means and resistingmovement thereof upon flexing of the fingers engaged thereby.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which said means connected to saidfinger engageable means comprise spring means connected at one end tosaid finger engageable means and at the other end to said base memher.

3. A device according to claim 1 which includes retaining means fordetachably retaining a forearm on said surface with the hand in saidpredetermined position.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which said surface carries aresilient surface layer to cushion the forearm and to inhibit slippingof the forearm on said surface.

5. A device according to claim 1 in which said finger loop engageablemeans comprises finger loop means, said biasing means comprising springmeans, first means connecting one end of said spring means to said basemember near the other end thereof, and second means connecting the otherend of said spring means to said finger loop means.

6. A device according to claim 5 in which said second means includesroller means supported on said base member and positioned above saidpredetermined position, and flexible substantially inextensible meansconnected at one end to said finger loop means and-at the other end tosaid spring means and entrained over said roller means.

7. A device according to claim 6 in which said roller means are in theform of pulley means, a rod from which the pulley means is suspended,and upright bars.

secured at the bottom to the sides of said base member and connected atthe top to said rod.

8. A device according to claim 5 in which said second means includesroller means supported on saidv base member and positioned above saidpredetermined position, flexible substantially inextensible meansconnected at one end to said spring means and entrained over said rollermeans, said certain finger loop means including first finger loop meansconnected to the other end of said inextensible means and said certainother finger loop means including second finger loop means connected tosaid other end of said spring means.

9. A device according to claim 8 in which said spring means comprises aplurality of springs, a respective first means connecting one end ofeach spring to said base member, a respective one of said flexibleinextensible means connected at one end to the other end of each springentrained over said roller means, said first finger loop meanscomprising a respective first finger loop ger in the loop.

Patent No. 3 78 2 719 Dated January 1, 1974 lnv n fl Norma Jean KuhlmanIt is certified that: error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 5, line 13, Claim 9, "and" omitted between "spring" and "entrained"Signed and {sealed this 9th day Of April 197E.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I'LFLETC HEMJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer 7 Commissionerof Patents Patent No. 3 78 2 719 Dated January 1, 1974 Inv fl Norma JeanKuhlman It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 5, line 13, Claim 9, "and" omitted between "spring" and "entrained"Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 197M. I

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETC HERJR. Y Y c. MARSHALL DANN v Attesting Officer! Y iCommissioner of Patents

1. In a device, especially for use in finger exercises, comprising abase member having an upwardly inclined facing surface extendingtherealong toward the center from one end on which the forearm isadapted to rest with the hand in a predetermined position along theinclined surface of the base member, finger loop engageable meansdisposed above and near the centeR position of said base member, certainof said finger loop means being positioned in one location on said basemember and suspended in a particular manner so that the fingers of thehand can be engaged with said finger loop means in the palms up positionfor applying force in a generally horizontal direction, and certainother of said finger loop means being positioned for use in the palmsdown position in a second location and suspended in a different mannerfor applying force in a generally downward direction, whereby saidcertain finger loop means and said certain other finger loop meanscollectively exercise the muscles in the entire hand, wrist and forearm,and biasing means connected to said finger loop means and resistingmovement thereof upon flexing of the fingers engaged thereby.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1 in which said means connected to said fingerengageable means comprise spring means connected at one end to saidfinger engageable means and at the other end to said base member.
 3. Adevice according to claim 1 which includes retaining means fordetachably retaining a forearm on said surface with the hand in saidpredetermined position.
 4. A device according to claim 1 in which saidsurface carries a resilient surface layer to cushion the forearm and toinhibit slipping of the forearm on said surface.
 5. A device accordingto claim 1 in which said finger loop engageable means comprises fingerloop means, said biasing means comprising spring means, first meansconnecting one end of said spring means to said base member near theother end thereof, and second means connecting the other end of saidspring means to said finger loop means.
 6. A device according to claim 5in which said second means includes roller means supported on said basemember and positioned above said predetermined position, and flexiblesubstantially inextensible means connected at one end to said fingerloop means and at the other end to said spring means and entrained oversaid roller means.
 7. A device according to claim 6 in which said rollermeans are in the form of pulley means, a rod from which the pulley meansis suspended, and upright bars secured at the bottom to the sides ofsaid base member and connected at the top to said rod.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 5 in which said second means includes roller meanssupported on said base member and positioned above said predeterminedposition, flexible substantially inextensible means connected at one endto said spring means and entrained over said roller means, said certainfinger loop means including first finger loop means connected to theother end of said inextensible means and said certain other finger loopmeans including second finger loop means connected to said other end ofsaid spring means.
 9. A device according to claim 8 in which said springmeans comprises a plurality of springs, a respective first meansconnecting one end of each spring to said base member, a respective oneof said flexible inextensible means connected at one end to the otherend of each spring entrained over said roller means, said first fingerloop means comprising a respective first finger loop connected to theother end of each inextensible means, and said second finger loop meanscomprising a respective second finger loop connected to the said otherend of each spring.
 10. A device according to claim 9 in which each saidfirst means is adjustable to vary the resistance to movement of thefinger loops connected to the respective spring.
 11. A device accordingto claim 9 in which said finger loops are flexible strap-like loops, andclip means receivable on a said finger loop to assist in retaining afinger in the loop.